ftp?

i know this is more than likely on the wrong board but couldnt figure out where to put it.
im really stuck trying to get an ftp up and running. iv got a server in france and im based in the uk. dont have a domain name but i just want to be able to download the files from my server onto laptop.
im using filezilla with the server part installled on the server and the client installed on notebook. im having an absolute nightmare connecting though.
after messing around for a fair bit iv managed to get command prompt on the server to connect via "ftp" then "open localhost" and everything is fine but when i try and connect direct from notebook it all goes wrong. filezilla server doesnt even show that im attempting to connect. any ideas what this could be.
also before i run around doing anything silly i just want ot check what the ftp address should be. i was under the impression that if the ip on the host (in this case my server) is 12.345.678.90 then the ftp would be
ftp://12.345.678.90
is this correct?

thanks

dave

 

Is the IP address provided from your ISP or did you make it up for your own personal needs?

For testing purposes you should have ping on. If your going through FW you must use passive mode.

Then you need to know if your ISP is blocking the port (21). I recommend that you move the port to something above 1024 to a max of 65565. Then use a port forward to your server on your router. This is for security reason, it takes <1 min before the snooper detect your open port and the hackers start in. So make sure you stong passwords on all accounts.

Unless this is a static IP you will need to use a service like DynDNS.

Here is a link you can use to test your ftp server with.
http://www.g6ftpserver.com/en/ftptest